Tips for Combating Slow Play
Slow Play on the Golf Course is usually a condition that a golfer acquires over time,
as he or she acquires bad habits. Or it's the result of the golfer never having been
taught proper course etiquette. This means a slow golfer can usually be 'cured" of
his ways. Of course, that's where his buddies come into play.
But as we often take a look at other golfers on the course and notice the things
they do to slow down play, so should we take a look at ourselves. When we do take
an honest look at ourselves, we often discover we're doing many of the same things
to slow down play that we're complaining about others doing.
Before we run down a list of suggestions for speeding up play, it's important to
note that many of these tips have nothing to do with rushing your play, but rather
with simply being ready to play, and with using common sense and good etiquette
on the course.
The bottom line is, as soon as it's your turn to play, you should be ready to step
right up and make the stroke.
Here are some more tips for speeding up play on our golf course.
•
Members of a group should not travel as a pack. Each member of the group
should walk directly to his own ball.
•
When two players are riding in a cart, drive the cart to the first ball and
drop off the first player with his choice of clubs. The second player should
proceed in the cart to his ball. After the first player hits his stroke, he
should begin walking toward the cart as the second golfer is playing.
•
Use the time you spend getting to your ball to think about the next shotthe yardage, the club selection. When you reach your ball you'll need less
time to figure out the shot.
Tips for Combating Slow Play
•
Begin reading the green and lining up the putts as soon as you reach the
green. Don't wait until it's your turn to putt to start
the process of reading
the green. Do it as soon as you reach the green so that when it's your turn
you can step right up and putt.
•
Never delay making a stroke because you're having a conversation
playing partner.
Put the conversation
the conversation
•
After
again.
putting strokes.
play. If there
•
on hold, make your stroke, then pick up
putting out, don't stand around the green chatting
practice
with a
or take any
Leave the green quickly so the group behind can
is no group behind, then a few practice
putts are fine .
When leaving the green and returning to your cart, don't stand there fussing
with your putter or other clubs. Get into the cart, drive to the next tee, and
then put away your putter or club.
•
Likewise, mark your scorecard
after
reaching the next tee box, not while
lingering on or near the just completed green .
•
When using a cart, never park the cart in front of the green. Park it to the
side of the green. And don't mark your scorecard
while sitting in the cart
next to the green (do it at the next tee). These practices
open up the green
for the group behind.
•
If you're the type who likes to offer tips to playing partners,
save it for the
driving range - or only do so on the course when you're sure that your not
slowing down play.
Tips for Combating Slow Play
•
If you are searching
considered
for a lost ball, the rule allows for 5 minutes, the ball
lost if after
that long. You may allow the group behind to play
through.
•
If playing other than a tournament,
don't ask your partners
for a lost ball - unless you are absolutely certain there
there
to help search
is time to do so ( e.g.,
is no group behind waiting). If the course is crowded,
should continue moving forward,
your partners
not to slow things down further
by stopping
to help your search. Forget the lost ball and drop a new one.
•
On the tee, pay attention
to your partners'
drives. If they lose sight of their
ball, you can help direct them to it and avoid any searching.
•
When waiting on the tee for the group in front to clear the fairway, if
possible, don't be so strict about the order of play. Let the short hitterwho can't reach the group ahead anyway- go ahead and hit.
•
Work on building a concise pre-shot
routine. If your pre-shot
lengthy one, it's probably in your best interest
practice
strokes
to shorten
routine is a
it anyway. Limit
to one or two at the most. Again we stress,
Not to rush,
Just be Ready!
•
If allowing, don't bother
marking lag putts - go ahead and putt out if it's
short enough.
•
Leave your cell phone in the car. Unless you're a doctor or your partners
expecting a Baby or expecting an important business call to which in this
case you maybe shouldn't be playing and affecting
•
the play.
Walk at a good pace between shots. No, you don't have to look like a racewalker. But if your between-shot
gait can be described
as a "shuffle" or an
"amble", you're probably going to slow. Speeding up your gait a little is both
good for your health, but also might help your game by keeping loose.
Tips for Combating Slow Play
•
Carry extra tees, ball markers and an extra ball in your pockets so you never
have to return to your bag to find one when needed.
•
When chipping around the green, carry both the club you'll be chipping with
plus your putter
•
so you don't have to return to the bag.
Try playing ready golf, where order of play is baqsede on who's ready, not
who's away.